Case: Gorton v. Johnson

82-cv-60422 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Filed Date: 1982

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Case Summary

In 1982, plaintiffs filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the Michigan Department of Corrections (DOC) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The plaintiffs were individuals who had been convicted and incarcerated under Michigan's "Guilty but Mentally Ill" statute, C.L.A. § 768.36, which provides that a criminal defendant who is found guilty but mentally ill and is committed to the custody of the DOC shall undergo further evaluation and be treated f…

In 1982, plaintiffs filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the Michigan Department of Corrections (DOC) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The plaintiffs were individuals who had been convicted and incarcerated under Michigan's "Guilty but Mentally Ill" statute, C.L.A. § 768.36, which provides that a criminal defendant who is found guilty but mentally ill and is committed to the custody of the DOC shall undergo further evaluation and be treated for mental illness or mental retardation. Plaintiffs claimed that the DOC lacked the resources to provide any psychiatric treatment to prisoners other than the most extreme disciplinary problems.

On February 16, 1984, the court (Judge Charles Joiner) granted class certification, concluding that the action could proceed as a class action if limited to the issue of whether the Department of Corrections had devised institutional policy and procedures, and if they had not, whether that failure was a constitutional violation of due process and the Eighth Amendment. Gorton v. Johnson, 100 F.R.D. 801 (E.D. Mich. 1984). The issues certified did not include those related to individual evaluation of prisoners, except where necessary to determine policy and procedure. All of our information regarding this case comes from the decision regarding class certification.

Summary Authors

Angela Heverling (4/5/2006)

People


Judge(s)

Joiner, Charles Wycliffe (Michigan)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Wood, Judith (Michigan)

Attorney for Defendant

Humphries, Paula G. (Michigan)

Judge(s)

Joiner, Charles Wycliffe (Michigan)

Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney for Defendant

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

82-cv-60422

Memorandum Opinion and Order

Feb. 16, 1984

Feb. 16, 1984

Order/Opinion

100 F.R.D. 100

Docket

Last updated Jan. 23, 2024, 3 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Michigan

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: 1982

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

individuals who had been convicted and incarcerated under Michigan's "Guilty but Mentally Ill" statute, C.L.A. § 768.36

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Michigan Department of Corrections (Ionia), State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Unknown

Nature of Relief:

Unknown

Source of Relief:

Unknown

Issues

Medical/Mental Health:

Mental health care, general

Type of Facility:

Government-run